Recreation vehicle

ABSTRACT

A motorized recreational vehicle of unibody construction having at least one expandable living compartment with flush floor and full ceiling and an disposed within the body of the vehicle, a storage area or garage disposed within the vehicle body between the bottom and the floor and accessible through the openable rear end, an integral heat exchanging climate control system, a retractable exterior entrance stair, pneumatically actuated components, and deformable members.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a United States Non-Provisional Patent Application,claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/345,735, filed Dec. 31, 2001, by the sameinventor, entitled IMPROVED RECREATIONAL VEHICLE, which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the design and construction of recreationalvehicles with on-board living space, and more particularly torecreational vehicles having convertible interior spaces, slide outexpanding spaces, and provisions for internal stowage and transport oflarge items including small automobiles, sport vehicles, boats, allterrain vehicles, snowmobiles and the like.

BACKGROUND

One of the fastest growing segments of both the housing andtransportation industries is the motor home. Many people, particularlyretired people are making the motor home their only residence.

Motor homes have evolved from busses, trucks, and vans to the dedicatedchassis, built from the ground up to be a motor home. Market demand formore functional space has evolved the “bump out” or “slide out”, anenclosed section that pushes out from the side to expand the livingarea. A bump out may be over 20′ long and may push out more than 3′.Some units even have opposite sides move out to expand the width of theliving area from 8′ to 12′ or more. Another market driven improvement isthe basement, a large storage space between the bottom and the floormuch like the luggage compartments of an interstate passenger bus.

The automobile industry has evolved lighter, stronger, and saferstructure by going from the body on frame configuration to a unibodyconstruction. Even the fixed glass of modern automobiles is bonded tothe frame to contribute to the rigidity of the total structure.

Motor homes haven't evolved as the automobile industry has. Even thebest of dedicated motor home chassis derives most of its strength fromthe structure below the floor. Class A motor homes are constructed onbare, specially designed motor vehicle chassis. Generally, support andstrength are derived solely from the chassis. The living enclosure istypically very light framing of multiple small dissimilar components.

The present market is being satiated with elaborate interiors andgadgetry but there is desire for more. The market wants the following:

Many motor homes tow a car for convenient transportation when they reacha destination. The mass of the motor home is sufficient challenge formost drivers without the addition of a vehicle in tow. There needs to beprovision for a vehicle to be carried on board.

The basement storage was well received but there is still desire formore versatile space. People who can afford the motor home life stylewant their toys. There needs to be space for 4-wheelers, motorcycles,bicycles, snow machines, personal water craft, etc.

Motor homes today have most of their furniture fixed in one position.This tends to define a given space to one function. People want to beable to arrange their own furniture and have more flexible use of space.

Motor homes are typically poorly insulated. Many won't tolerate theextreme cold of a ski resort without water freezing problems and/orexcess heating fuel consumption. They also use a lot of energy stayingcool. Often the air conditioning units are roof mounted pods that add toheight with out adding space. What is needed is better thermalperformance with integral heating and cooling.

Much of the current construction is light assemblies of dissimilarmaterials mechanically fastened or bonded together. Often, provision fordifferent expansions and performances of different materials is notconsidered in construction. More durable permanent construction isneeded.

Many motor homes are very heavy with large frontal areas and pooraerodynamics. Many carry their weight high making them top heavy. Manyare under-powered compared to the traffic around them. Better handlingand fuel performance is needed.

The regulatory dimension limits for a motor home in the United Statesare 8½ feet wide, 13½ feet high, and up to 50 feet long. Most stateswill allow motor homes of 50 feet in length to be classified as busses,but the trend in motor homes is a 40 foot maximum length. The maximumallowed expanded living space in a motor home by regulation is 400square feet. Any desired function must be achieved within this finitespace.

The great weight associated with class A motor homes interferes with thecapacity of the vehicle. One commercially available motor home has agross vehicle weight of 55,000 lbs, and a wet weight of 54,140 lbs,leaving only 860 lbs of capacity for passengers, luggage, and otherequipment. This would be inadequate to hold weighty equipment likeautomobiles, all terrain vehicles, or snowmobiles. The massiveness ofthis vehicle substantially retards fuel efficiency as well as capacity.

Clearly what is needed is a Class A recreational vehicle capable ofproviding high payload capacity, improved fuel efficiency, and ampleflexible living space and storage space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to improvements in the design, constructionand utility of a motor home that meet the present regulatoryconstraints.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide arecreational vehicle with unibody construction each componentcontributes to the strength and rigidity of the whole.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recreationalvehicle with a resilient bonding method to adhere body components ofdissimilar materials together to produce a resilient rigidity.

It is a yet another object of the present invention to provide arecreational vehicle with a fully foam insulated, stress skin panelexterior.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide arecreational vehicle with integral tanks and compartments within themolded body.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide arecreational vehicle with garage for at least one automobile or othersport or utility vehicle or large device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide arecreational vehicle having flexible, expandable living space.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomereadily apparent to those skilled in this art from the followingdetailed description, wherein we have shown and described only apreferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration ofthe best mode contemplated by us on carrying out our invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sequence of elevation views illustrating configurations ofrecreational vehicles from compact to extended sizes, all in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view illustrating a recreational vehicle inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention wherein avehicle stowed in an upper garage is being deployed.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view illustrating a compact recreational vehiclein accordance with one embodiment of the present invention wherein anautomobile is being loaded into the basement-garage of the vehicle.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view illustrating a compact car stowed in avertical position in the rear of a recreational vehicle in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view illustrating a compact car being deployedfrom the vertical position by a recreational vehicle in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence of detail elevational views illustrating a flexiblefloor bump out retraction mechanism of a recreational vehicle inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view illustrating a recreational vehicle inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention in which arestowed three automobiles of varying body types.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional elevational view illustrating a recreationalvehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention inwhich side wall bump outs are retracted.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional elevational view illustrating a recreationalvehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention inwhich side wall bump outs are extended.

FIG. 10 is a sequence of detail cross sectional views illustrating theretracted, transitional, and extended positions of the roof of the bumpouts of different configurations of a recreational vehicle according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sequence of detail cross sectional views illustrating theoperation of a depressible floor of a recreational vehicle in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sequence of cross sectional plan views illustrating theoperation of the bump out locking mechanism of a recreational vehicle inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view illustrating a recreational vehicle inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention having a sideentrance door with retractable external staircase.

FIG. 14 is a sequence of elevational detail views illustrating astowable driver console of a recreational vehicle in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention is capable of many embodiments, incorporating all or someof the features described and illustrated in the figures, in any numberof similar and equivalent variations. Some of the many features andvariations include the following:

A garage. In one embodiment, the storage space is long enough toaccommodate very lengthy objects, such as multiple vehicles or even asailboat. And it is tall enough to accommodate a second floor above thelower floor or basement, for storage of a small automobile. The lowerlevel storage space can be expanded into the upper level volume tocreate a space of particular desired height.

A driver's station module that is stowable. It drops beneath the floorof the driver's space to add that square footage to the living area.

The windshield and side windows of the drivers compartment may drop intothe chassis sidewall to make an open air space of the converted driver'sstation. A full sunroof at the top of the space slides into the mainroof. The glazing may have screens and shades that stow when notdeployed.

Vehicle side bump out or slide out sections that almost double the widthof the living area and increase the living space to the 400 square feetmaximum allowable. The joints between the bump outs and the chassisprovide a flat floor and continuous ceiling offering maximum utilizationof floor space, height, and total enclosed volume.

The vehicle may be configured with front engine front wheel drive tomodularize the drive train and free up additional space in the rear ofthe vehicle.

A highly developed convertible interior allows multi function areasproviding maximum functionality in minimal space.

Integral air scoops or inlets at the rear end in or adjacent the rearhatch have side ducting and rear exhaust for heat exchangers or airconditioning.

The invention applies the unitized construction concept of designingeach component, where possible, to contribute to the strength of thewhole chassis as well as achieving the desired space, specific function,and reduced weight.

The bond between the automobile glass and frame is a resilient one toallow for the different properties of dissimilar joined materials. Sucha bond provides a rigid structure with resilience only sufficient toaccommodate the differential expansion of the joined components or themomentary deformation of one of those components. There may be atemperature differential of as much as 100° F. between the inner andouter skins of the vehicle. Therefore, thermal barriers are placedbetween the glass, the external skin and the internal skin of thevehicle, thereby preventing the transfer of heat between the exteriorand interior. The structure is designed to absorb some of the energy ofan impact by momentary deflection of the skin and the foam core. Unibodyconstruction is a construction technique in which components are notindependently attached to a frame, but to each other, thus defining theframe and allowing all components of the structure to provide supportand contribute to the structural integrity of the whole.

The unibody construction of the motor home is achieved by joining fewer,larger, more homogeneous, components together. Larger sections ofdissimilar materials require more resilient bonds. Some components arebonded with a resilient tape or adhesive like that used to bondautomobile glass. Others are foam bonded with a special dense,resilient, adhesive, plastic foam to produce a unique “resilientrigidity” The unique foam bonding greatly improves fit, ease ofassembly, and thermal properties.

A panel is placed next to a joining member or part. It may be clamped ormechanically fastened to hold its position. A void is left between thejoining components. That void is then filled with foam. The fit,insulation, and resilient bond is complete with the curve of the foam.

The floor has a ribbed core with minimal use of foam. The voids betweenthe upper and lower skins of the floor comprising the enclosed volumeare divided into cells used as tanks to store the fluids needed by theunit. The bottom skin of the floor panel is arched both laterally andlongitudinally so as to be higher in the center with respect to the fourcorners. This provides four convenient points of drainage, one in eachcorner of the overall structure. Where the space is divided into fourquadrants or tanks, each extending to a respective corner, this providesa natural point of drainage from each tank, and better overall torsionalstructural stiffness to the floor. Additional stiffening ribs within thestructure may have slotted top and bottom flanges to allow fluid to passthrough. They serve as baffles to control liquid motion in each tankwhile the vehicle is in transit.

The floor of an embodiment extends from the front to the center of therear wheels where it transitions vertically for about three feet at a45-degree angle and then to a vertical diaphragm of the unibody. Such atransition conforms to the contours of a vehicle stored in the garagethereby maximizing garage space and living space.

The roof may be made from at least one ribbed foam core stress skinnedpanel. There are two large ducts that run the length of the roof throughthe foam and trusses to serve as air handling ducts. There are alsosmaller tubes running the length for utility conduit. As an option theroof surface can be done in solar panels which in good sun can providemost of the energy needs of the well insulated unit.

The side walls of the unit between the floor and roof are open for morethan half their length to accommodate the bump outs that extend from thesides. The sides of the unit fore and aft the openings are foam corepanel components of the unibody The use of stressed skin foam corepanels in a unibody construction produces a substantially lightervehicle. As a result, the vehicle would achieve substantially improvedfuel efficiency, and substantially augmented payload capacity. Inaccordance with the invention, the wet weight can be reduced to muchless than 80% of the gross vehicle weigh rating; even as little as about65%. In one embodiment the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating ofabout approximately 30,000 lbs. The estimated wet weight of the vehicleis about approximately 20,000 lbs. Therefore, in this embodiment, a full10,000 lbs is available for passengers, and the storage of automobiles,all terrain vehicles, luggage, etc.

The bumper wraps around the entire perimeter of the bottom of thevehicle. The bumper consists of molded flexible plastic cover sectionsthat are foam bonded to a frame or ridged body panel. The doors of thebasement space are of the same construction as the rest of the bumpersurfaces. The foam bonding makes tooling and assembly of these partsvery simple and economic.

The chassis can be easily modified during assembly to accommodate avariety of applications. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 a-1 c, a variety ofmodels may be made using the basic plane of the vehicle according to oneembodiment of the present invention. This can be achieved by blockingthe molds of the horizontal and vertical panels.

The automobile industry has gone from a power train that extends most ofthe length of the vehicle to a front wheel drive engine/trans-axlemodule. Front drives are not unique to the R/V (recreational vehicle)industry. They are unique to a six wheel, air suspension, air diskbraked class A motor home. The front suspension of an embodiment carriesthe steering, suspension, trans-axle, and engine. The chassis betweenthe front wheel wells integrates two frame rails that extend to thefront of the vehicle. These rails carry the engine and the floor panel.

According to one embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 a-c, the basement orlower level storage space starts behind the front wheels and extends tothe rear of the vehicle, a total length of about 30 feet. The basement404 is integrated into the garage allowing ease of access. It is 8 feetwide except between the wheel wells where it reduces to about 6 feetwide. It is up to about approximately 4 feet high beneath the floor thenrises at a 45 degree angle 401 for about approximately 2 feet, then goesvertical 402 to a 12 foot inside height for the remainder of the lengthof the vehicle. This area will accommodate most cars and some SUVs(sport utility vehicles). The area described is that of one embodiment.It can be tailored to other size applications in design andmanufacturing stages.

In one embodiment, an automobile is pulled into the garage, withoutdriver, front first with a chain drag built into the floor or by othersuitable mechanism. The chain drag also pushes the automobile back outon demand. Alternatively, some cars may be sufficiently compact that insome embodiments no chain drive system is necessary, and a driver mayjust drive the car on board and with room to exit the garage.Alternatively, a rolling or sliding tray or carriage upon which the caris placed may be used to insert or remove the automobile from thegarage. Other means of parking the car would be readily apparent to oneof ordinary skill in the art. The nose of the automobile goes into thelower, about approximately 4 feet high space, the windshield isaccommodated under the 45 degree ceiling and the roof of the automobileby the higher space. Above the automobile in the 12 feet high garagespace, a second floor 406 can be placed, hinged at the front 405 belowthe floor level so it moves back as it rotates down for vehicle loadingand unloading. As illustrated in FIG. 2, once the lower level space isvacated, the second floor can be dropped so that its back edge contactsthe back of the bottom or floor level of the motor home.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 a-3, The space between the wheel wells isjust over six feet wide but the second floor is almost 8 feet wide andcan accommodate a full width load or vehicle, or more two narrowerobjects such as all terrain vehicles or snowmobiles. The second floor406 is raised and lowered with hydraulics permitting the introduction ofthese additional vehicles. At the back edge of the bottom floor is aramp 407 that stows and travels in a vertical position and folds down toaccess both floors from the street level when loading and unloadingvehicles. The back edge of the ramp in its folded position engages theback edge of the upper floor to give it rigid support in transit. Thetop floor may have a winch that adjusts side to side to pull left andright side vehicles onboard.

As stated, the top floor of this two level garage space will accommodatethe snow machines, 4-wheelers, jet skies, etc. essential to a motor homelife style. The applications of the combined space are only limited bythe imagination. This concept, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, is usedin car carriers but is unique in motor homes.

Another automobile storage mode, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is to stowthe automobile vertically. The rear gate of the vehicle 420 may be afull height, full width back wall to the motor home, which doubles as aramp that is hinged at the floor bottom and folds to the ground. Theautomobile 421 is driven onto it, fastened in place both front and rear,and lifted into a vertical position as the ramp 420 is raised and closedin its travel position. This mode of automobile storage consumes only4-5 feet of overall length at the rear of the motor home. It can beimplemented with motor homes configured with either a rear differentialor rear engine that might otherwise preclude a rear loading automobilestorage space. Its principle limitation is the length of the automobilethat can be stored in this way. The automobile cannot exceed 12 feet inlength. Daimler-Chrysler is about to introduce the 8 foot long “Smart”car and the 10 foot long “A-Class” car to the U.S. market. These andsimilar existing and future small vehicle designs make this feature veryfeasible.

The third method of storage puts the car in the basement of thisbi-level motor home, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7. As described above,the basement space is accessed from the rear with a gate that folds downto become a ramp. In one embodiment, a drag mechanism or sliding tray isused to pull the automobile into the basement, as the width precludesopening side doors on the stowed automobile. This automobile storagesystem allows a full 400 square feet of living space when incorporatingthe side panel bump outs and component chassis system described herein.The system will allow a basement height of up to about 4.5 feet. Thiswill accommodate many low automobiles less than 4.5 feet high and lessthan 6 feet 2 inches wide. With the aft end of the garage spaceconfigured in such a bi-level configuration the vehicle can accept up tothree vehicles, two stored on the lower level, one stowed in the upperlevel.

In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 8,the side panel bump outs 200 of an embodiment almost touch in the middleof the motor home when the bump out 200 are retracted. According to oneembodiment of the present invention, at least one bump out 200 may beconfigured to allow a means of entrance and egress to the bump outsthrough an entranceway from the driver's compartment when both bump outs200 are fully retracted. By utilizing the full width of the vehicle 100for retracting the bump outs 200, the bump outs 200 can be of maximumwidth and the resulting extensions can be of maximum depth. In oneembodiment, two bump outs are located across from each other. The floorsof the bump outs stay in a common plane, no matter whether the bump outare retracted, in transition, or extended. When fully extended, thefloors of the bump outs 200 are flush with the floor of the cabin 204;when fully retracted the floors of the bump outs 200 are flush with eachother. In both positions, no step is present whereby an occupant may betripped. The bump outs 200 may be extended independently of each other.As can be readily appreciated from FIG. 9, the bump outs 200 accordingto one embodiment are designed to provide full headroom, though somewhatless than that offered by the main cabin. This maximizes the useablespace, and increases flexibility while retaining an inclined roof forwatershed.

The preferred embodiment motor home in accordance with the invention hasa continuous arched ceiling 208 with only a minimal seam at thetransition between the main ceiling and that of the bump out section oneither side of the chassis 100 when the bump out is extended.

In one embodiment, the roof 212, walls 214, and floor 215 of the bumpout 200 are composed of stress skin panels, with molded interior shellsbonded to foam cores. The panels configured to allow a high degree ofinsulation; a 3-inch thick composite wall panel according to oneembodiment of the present invention, has an R value of aboutapproximately 16. The roof 212 of the bump out is configured to bedepressible, thereby facilitating the extension and retraction of thebump out 200. This depressability can be achieved through the use ofeither hinged segments or, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 a-10 c, a vacuumactuated flexible member 216.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 a-10 c, in one embodiment, a tent, skirt orsimilar structure 218, composed of resilient flexible material, isfixed, on one side, to the perimeter of the opening in the body of thevehicle 100 and, on the other, the perimeter of the bump out 200, insuch a way as to prevent the admission of insects, dust, pollen, spoors,and debris as well as to weatherproof the cabin during the transitionbetween the expanded and traveling positions, and vies versa. The skirt218 also performs other beneficial functions. For instance, at thejunction between the roof of the vehicle 100 and the roof of the bumpout 200 is disposed a flap or wing 220 hingedly mounted on the edge ofthe roof of the cabin and that overlaps the joint. This flap 220strengthens the joint, maintains the aesthetically pleasing contour ofthe vehicle, and provides an additional, overlapping layer of foaminsulation. In one embodiment it contributes to the support of the fullyextended bump out 200, by locking it in place. When the bump out 200 isretracted, this flap 220 falls along the outside of the bump out 200.The skirt 218, which is connected to the flap 220, is under tension whenthe bump out 200 is retracted. The tension of the skirt 218 keeps theflap 220 securely against the side of the bump out 200. When the bumpout 200 is being extended or retracted the cabin is temporarilypressurized at a pressure slightly in excess of ambient. The skirt 218is then slightly inflated, lifting the flap 220 and preventing the flap220 from rubbing on the skirt 218 or the bump out 200 itself. Onceextended, the skirt 218 again becomes tight, aligning the flap 220 withthe roof 212 of the extended bump out 200 and assuring proper alignmentof a roller latch 230. The roller latch 230, attached to the inboard endof the bump out roof 212, may then engage with the flap 220, lockingboth securely in place.

An alternative roof profile can be provided by foregoing the use offlaps 220 and configuring the flexible roof of the bump outssubstantially in the way illustrated in FIG. 10 d-10 e. In thisembodiment, an additional skin 400 is provided, which is deformed bymanipulation of pneumatic pressure.

In an alternative embodiment, in the retracted position, the bump outsrise over the floor of the main vehicle. When extended, the bump out 200rides on a mechanism that provides for a modest step down of the bumpout 200 at the fully extended position, which sets the bump out floor214 flush with the main section floor 204 and locks the bump out 200into position. This system requires the inner edge of the bump out roof212 to rise to intersect the edge of the main roof. This is done byhinging the last foot or so of the bump out roof 216. At the end of theoutward movement as the bump out 200 drops, the hinged roof edge 216rises to meet the main roof.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10 a-10 c, the flexible roofmember is a vacuum actuated flexible member 216, the depressible portionof the roof has top 222 and bottom skins 224 that are substantiallydeformable, but are resistant to external deflection forces. In oneembodiment, the top skin 222 is formed in a convex configuration. Bottomskin 224 is formed in a flat configuration. As a vacuum is induced inthe interstitial cavity formed by the skins, the convex segment skinsare deflected inwards. The interstitial cavity may be filled withcompressible 226 and non-compressible foam 228 thereby controlling theflex of the member 216. The convex top skin 222 becomes more flat, theflat bottom skin 224 becomes more concave, thus distal edge of member216 itself is deflected downward. There can be a plurality of suchactuator chambers.

At the extremity of the member 216, a series of rollers or wheels 230 isdisposed. These rollers roll may be a primary or secondary system foractuating the flexible roof by following the contour of the ceiling ofthe cabin when the bump out is in transition. When the bump out is fullyextended, the rollers engage in a corresponding channel. The deflectionof the member permits the rollers to be disengaged from the cavity,facilitating the transition of the bump out 200 between extended andretracted modes. This deflection can be achieved by the vacuum method orthe roller method, or a combination of the two. In one embodiment, therollers serve as an auxiliary method of deflection in case the pneumaticsystem fails.

Such a pneumatically or hydraulically actuated deformable mechanism maybe useful in a number of other applications, particularly fluid flowcontrol mechanisms, such as trailing edge trim flaps of airplanes,submarines, and hydrofoils, rudders, mixing valves, and closing valves.It may also be useful as a means of locomotion in such a fluid medium.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the hinge is a“living hinge” 216 with a continuous membrane flexible hinge line. Thesection of the bump out roof from where it joins the main roof to aboutone half the sloped length is a single layer of fiber-reinforced plasticwith a hook on the trailing or joining end. That plastic sheet will flexand has a memory. As the bump out moves outward from the main chassis,the flexible roof edge rides against the edge of the arched mainceiling, causing it to flex downward. At the end of its travel, the bumpout drops into position. At the same time, the flexible roof edge pushesits hooked end up into the interlocking edge of the main roof. In thisposition the bump out roof is under tension which helps keep the bumpout straight and the joint tight. When the bump out is retracted, itsinward movement forces the hook out of the interlock, and the bump outroof edge follows the main ceiling profile to where it nests for travel.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 a-11 g, the skirt 218continued around the circumference of the bump out 200, even under thefloor of the bump out 215. In FIG. 11 a is shown the retracted positionof the bump outs 200. The floors 215 of the bump outs 200 may meet inthe middle of the cabin. The inboard edges of the floors 215 are angledto help guide the floor panel into position. In transition, asillustrated in FIG. 11 b, the skirt 218 is inflated with cabin pressureagainst the chassis and the bottom of the bump out to avoid andabrasion, because of the parallel angle surfaces of the floor panel andthe bump out. The skirt space grows as the bump out moves. Asillustrated in FIG. 11 c the bump out is fully extended, the floorpanels 204 rise into position. In one embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 11 a-11 g, the bump out floor may stay in a single plane, before,during and after deployment. As illustrated in FIG. 11 d, the centersection of the floor of the vehicle body may include two moveablesections or panels 204, one on either side of the center of the vehicle.When the bump outs are in their extended position, the panels are raisedto an upright position flush with the floor of the bump outs, one edgeresting on a lip 301 on the inboard side of the bump out, the otherresting on a center support structure 302, beneath the center panels isa central support floor 303. The support floor 303 is angled, having araised center section in the center, upon which the central supportstructure 302 is disposed. The support floor's 303 shape enables it tohave the strength of a truss, minimizing the space required forsupporting the weight of the floor, furnishings and inhabitants as wellas some of the weight of the retracted bump outs 200. As is shown inFIGS. 11 a-11 g an actuation means 304, such as pneumatic controlled airbags are configured to raise the panels into position when the bump outsare extended, and to lower the panels beneath the floor of the bump out.In this stowed position, the floor panel 204 is parallel to the slopedtop surface of the support floor 303.

Referring again to FIG. 9, in one embodiment the floor panels 204 areconfigured to rise from the chassis 100, thereby engaging bump out floor215, locking the bump out 200 in position and providing a flat floor.The inner edge of the bump out roof 216 rises to engage the main rooflatching and thereby producing a smooth transition.

In one embodiment, the bump out is carried on its four inside cornerswhich are moved synchronously. This can be achieve using a number ofcommercially available components, such as rollers, linear bearings,pinions, ball screws, chains timing gears and similar well knowelements. By actuating the bump outs 200 by four independent synchronousdrive mechanisms; the drive mechanisms can be small enough to beconcealed in the floor and ceilings. As the mechanisms are located atthe four corners, the bump out is suspended and does not come intocontact with and therefore does not abrade any finished surfaces or theskirt. When the bump out 200 is fully extended, the floor panels 204 ofthe cabin 100 are raised using inflated pneumatic bags 304 disposedbeneath the floor panel. Another pneumatic bag is then inflated, and theoutboard side of the floor is raised by a bar or support 311 running thelength of the bump out 200 and actuated by this second pneumatic bag.This support 311 supports both the floor 204, and the extended bump outs200. The support also seals the chamber below the floor when not intransition, thereby preventing the accumulation of waste, liquid, anddebris.

An embodiment of the present invention provides for maintenance of anysub-floor systems and the removal of debris, waste or dirt that mayaccumulate below the floor panels. A third pneumatic bag 312 connectedto the chassis 303, the floor panel 204, and an elastic strap 313. Thestrap controls the range of movement of the floor panel, and stretchedthe deflated third pneumatic bag 312 over the first pneumatic bag 304.During normal operation the third pneumatic bag 312 remains deflated,and displacement is achieved by inflating the first pneumatic bladder304. This provides a limited access for cleaning and maintenance to theinboard side of the sub floor cavity. For access to the outboard side ofthe sub-floor cavity, the third bladder is inflated, rotating the planeof the floor panel inward. To stow the panel, the pneumatic bags areevacuated.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 6, the floor 204 of the cabin can be comprised of flexible materialand fixed to a central support structure 311 such that when support isremoved from its extremities, the floor sags or droops allowing thefloor of the bump out to slide on top of it. Temporary support may beprovided by an actuating means 305, such as a pneumatic bladder, screwjack, servo, routable support member or hinged support member.

In such an embodiment, wherein the floor may be lowered, the ceiling ofthe bump out need not necessarily be flexible, since the lowered floorwould provide sufficient clearance for the bump out to be retracted andextended.

In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 12 a-12 g, the sidewall 214 ofthe bump out 200 is configured in such a way that the skirt 218 may bepositioned flat against the side 214 of the extended bump out 200. Inthis embodiment a latch 500 secures the bump out in its extendedposition. The latch is disposed in a chassis post 503, and is displacedby an actuating means 501 such as a pneumatic bladder, spring screw orservo. The latch catches in a recess in the sidewall 214 of the bump out200.

In this embodiment, when the bump out starts to retract, the latch 500is retracted by evacuating the pneumatic bladder 501. As illustrated inFIG. 5 b, when in the bump out 200 is in transition, the skirt 218 isinflated against the exterior skin 507 of the bump out wall 214 and thechassis 100, thereby providing a smooth transition and inhibitingabrasion of the skirt. The bump out side 214 is tapered to allow amplespace for the skirt transition. When the bump out 200 is retracted thetaper assures that the skirt is isolated from all surfaces along itsspan. The skirt 218 is attached to the bump out by capturing it betweena recess 505 in the bump out wall 214 and a mechanical fastener 509,such as a clamp or strip that is screwed, nailed, riveted or otherwisefixed in that recess over the skirt 218. The skirt 218 is attached tothe chassis by capturing it between the exterior skin 507 of the chassis100 and the chassis post 503.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, the entryway 310 into thepassenger cabin is located approximately above the right front wheelwell. As this door 310 is located substantially higher than the level ofthe ground, a staircase 312 is provided. This staircase 312 runs alongthe outside of the vehicle, with the outboard side providing a handrailfor those exiting or entering the vehicle. When the stair 312 is notneeded, it can be folded up into a recess in the side panel of thevehicle. This retractable external staircase configuration allows thepassenger cabin to be used in a more flexible, open way, unobstructed bystairs. When the stair is retracted, the banister is flush with the sideof the vehicle, but prevents the door from opening out as a means ofnon-emergency egress. The door may, however, be configured with a windowor a “Dutch door” in which the top half of the door is independentlydeployable from the bottom. Such a window or door would not be entirelyblocked by the banister, which would form a parapet to keep children oranimals from wandering off or falling out of the vehicle.

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 a and 14 b, which are detail cross sectionsof the cab of a recreational vehicle according to the present invention,to increase the space available when the vehicle is not being driven,the instrument panel 314 is configured to allow it to be folded downfrom the upright position seen in FIG. 14 a to the collapsed positionshown in FIG. 14 b.

With all of the operating equipment out of the way, the driver's spacebecomes a multi function living space. The windshield and the sidewindows may be configured to be received into the chassis below. Eachwindow has a built in screen and shade that also lowers into the chassisbelow. The roof above that space is a full width glass sunroof thatdeploys back into the main roof. It too has its own shade and screen.This option makes the driver's station space a spa, porch, screenedporch, or sleeping porch. The windows may be mounted in such a way as tothermally insulate the exterior and interior skins of the vehicle fromeach other. The windows are mounted on thermal barriers, which arecomposed of thermally non-conductive material, and are disposed betweenthe two skins around the circumference of the window opening. Thebarrier acts to weatherproof the window and as a thermal gap, preventingthe transfer of heat between the skins.

The side windows of the bump out may curve from the vertical of thesides to the slope of the roof. They are hinged on the roof and open byswinging up vertically. They have the same type of screen and shadecombination as the front windows. In one embodiment these windows arethree to four feet wide and rise about approximately four feet on thewall and about approximately two more feet into the roof. They providenatural light and create a feeling of great space.

In one embodiment, the entire rear panel from the top of the rear bumperto the top of the unit is an opening hatch that is hinged at the top. Aradiator and duct system is integrated into the upper portion of thehatch for the air conditioner. The upper portion of the sides at therear taper in toward the rear towards a vertical air scoop molded intothe sides of the body. The scoops pull air in at the side and exhaust itout through the radiator in the hatch. In this embodiment, the airscoops provide post like structures that are integral to the structureof the vehicle. These scopes communicate with the tailgate and funnelair through a radiator located in the tailgate.

One embodiment has the full allowed 400 square feet of living space,under the present standards, but should those standards change, theconstruction methods described herein would be readily adaptable by oneskilled in the art. It also has another 320 square feet of garage andstorage space. The cubic volume of the living space is greater than thatof the garage storage space because it has more uniform height.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is a full sized,whirlpool bath in the right front corner of the driver's compartment.The tub moves out toward the center of the space so that a cover can bedeployed from a magazine in the space under the floor. The tub thenmoves back into position under the ridged cover. The cover becomes anelevated platform for the passengers in transit or a seat with theaddition of cushions. The tub can be moved out again, the coverretracts, and a folded queen sized bed deploys from the magazine toreplace the cover. The tub then moves back into place under the bed. Thebed protrudes at a 45° angle into the space providing good access toeach side.

It would be evident to one skilled in the art that the elements of theabove described embodiments may be combined or used individually tooptimize customer satisfaction, while remaining within the scope of thepresent invention.

It will be readily apparent that many of the features and designtechniques can be applied with equal utility to any mobile home. Thereare other and various embodiments within the scope of the invention. Forexample, there is a motorized recreational vehicle with living space andstorage space consisting of a vehicle body of unibody constructionhaving an front end, bottom, sidewalls, and top, and being furtherconfigured with an openable rear end and an access door proximate thefront end, a steerable front wheel suspension system, a rear wheelsuspension system, and an engine and drive train system connected toeither or both the front wheel and rear wheel suspension systems. Thereis a driver's station disposed within the vehicle body, with a driver'ssteering console at the driver's station connected to the steerablefront wheel suspension system for providing directional controlcapability for the vehicle.

There is at least one expandable living compartment disposed within thevehicle body, having a floor structure spaced above the vehicle bottom,and at least one extendible component or bump out, having first, second,and third walls, a floor and a roof. The walls, floor and roof each haveinterior and exterior surfaces and inboard and outboard sides. Theextendible component is extendible from within the living compartmentthrough a respective sidewall opening of the vehicle body.

There is at least one storage area disposed within the vehicle body, atleast partially extending between the vehicle bottom and the floorstructure, where the storage area is accessible at least through theopenable rear end. The floor of the extendible component when it isfully extended is substantially level with the floor structure of theliving compartment.

The floor structure may have at least one retractable floor panel andfloor panel operating mechanism configured such that when the extendiblecomponents are extended, the floor panel is extendible to and issupportable in a position flush with the interior surface floor of theextendible component, and the floor panel is retractable beneath thelevel of the extendible component floor for retraction of the extendiblecomponent.

The floor panel operating mechanism consists of a fixed floor panelinboard edge support, a floor panel lifting mechanism, and a retractablefloor panel outboard edge support. The floor panel lifting mechanism mayconsist of at least one pneumatic actuator disposed between the floorstructure and the floor panel. Also, the drivers steering console may beretractable from the driver's station when not in use, freeing up thisspace for living activities when the vehicle is stationary. The storagearea may extend vertically upward behind the living compartment, and itmay consist of upper and lower levels and a mechanism for elevatingobjects from ground level to the upper level. Also, there may be a rearend ramp extendible to ground level for delivering and removing avehicle or other wheeled loads into and out of the storage area. Theopenable rear end may be a hatch hingedly attached to the vehicle body,and be configured with components of a heat exchanger airflow systemservicing the living compartment.

Sidewall openings in the vehicle body extend upward to the outboard edgeof the vehicle top, and the inboard edge of the bump out roof isconfigured for mating with the outboard edge of the vehicle top. Theinboard edge of the bump out roof is configured to mate with theoutboard edge of the interior or ceiling side of the vehicle top,thereby forming a substantially flush joint providing a continuousceiling profile and a continuous exterior top profile extending acrossthe expandable living compartment.

Further, the inboard edge of the bump out roof may incorporate aninwardly directed, upwardly biased, downwardly deformable interior flap,and the outboard edge of the vehicle top within the sidewall openingsmay have a hinged exterior flap. The hinged exterior flap lies securedagainst the exterior surface of the outboard wall of the bump out andthe interior flap normally contacts the interior or ceiling surface ofthe vehicle top when the bump out is retracted. The interior flap isdeformable downward for clearance and exterior flap is free for outwardmotion during extension of the extendible bump out component. Theinterior flap is reformable upward for engagement with the outboard edgeof the top, and the exterior flap is disposed on or proximate theinterior flap thereby forming the joint between the extended bump outand the vehicle's unibody shell.

The deformable interior flap may consist of first and second stressedskins defining a longitudinal chamber within, where the chamber consistsof a variable volume by which at least one skin may be deformed forarticulating motion or upward and downward movement of the deformableflap. The chamber may be at least partially filled with compressiblefoam.

The vehicle has a flexible membrane connecting the perimeter of eachsidewall opening with the bump out or extendible component, therebyisolating the living space or interior of the vehicle from the outsideenvironment. Also, the vehicle body may consist of stressed skin foamconstruction using substantially resilient foam materials between theskins.

Another example of the invention is a motorized recreational vehicle asdescribed above, with a wet weight that is less than 80% of its grossvehicle weight rating, providing a substantial payload capability, Yetanother example is such a vehicle with a wet weight that is less than65% of the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle. The unibodyconstruction of the vehicle consists of stressed skin foam corelaminates. The foam core laminates are bonded together using a highdensity foam bond. The foam core laminates have interior and exteriorskins, and the skins may have one or a plurality of window apertures formounting windows, where each window aperture has an integral edgeflange. The apertures in the exterior skin are smaller than theirrespective apertures in the interior skin, resulting in a gap betweenrespective edge flanges. The gap may be filled with a thermallynon-conductive material against which the window frame or glazing isinstalled.

A motorized recreational vehicle of the invention may include aplurality of pockets within the sidewalls and front end for receivingstowable side windows and a stowable windshield.

In another aspect of the invention, a deformable member has a variablevolume chamber with anterior and posterior ends, fully enclosed by atleast two flexible surface skins and anterior and posterior flexiblemembrane chamber ends, where each skin has a length and parallel firstand second ends to their length. The first skin is longer than thesecond skin. Their first ends are joined in a fixed, parallelrelationship, and their second ends are likewise joined in a fixed,parallel relationship. The volume of the chamber is occupied by a fluidor other removable or compressible medium. There is a fluid pump orcontrol mechanism such as a heat source or temperature controller withinor proximate the chamber for manipulating the volume of the chamber suchat least one skin is placed in a concave or curved configuration ofvariable radius. Varying the average radius of curvature of at least oneskin deforms the member. A portion of the volume of the chamber may be aflexible, non-compressible material.

The deformable member may be disposed within a fluid as a flow controlsurface. The first ends or one or both of the anterior and posteriorends of the skins may be attached to a reference structure from whichthe member extends, providing a reference from which movement of themember by deformation is relative. The flow control surface or functionof the member may be chosen from the group of fluid flow controlsurfaces consisting of wings, ailerons, stabilizers, elevators, rudders,vanes, valves, shunts, and trim control flaps. The deformable member maybe configured to be or provide a propulsion mechanism for use in a fluidmedium to pump fluid or propel an object through the fluid. Thedeformable member may form at least part of a roof of a slide outcomponent of a motorized recreational vehicle.

The deformable member may have anterior and posterior walls havinginterior and exterior skins, where the exterior skins are elasticallyconnected to the anterior and posterior ends of the deformable member byexterior side wall membranes extending from the flexible membranechamber ends, and the interior skins are connected to the deformablemember by interior elastic membranes. The exterior and interiormembranes may be a common continuous membrane.

As yet another example of the invention, there is a motorizedrecreational vehicle of unibody construction as described above, with atleast one storage compartment below the floor of the living compartment,at least a portion of the storage compartment configured as a garageaccessible to at least one automobile through an openable hatch disposedin the rear of said vehicle body. The storage compartment may extendupwardly behind the living compartment, and be accessible through aplurality of hatches located along the sidewalls. The garage may beconfigured to receive at least two or three automobiles or other largeobjects, including sub-compact cars, compact cars, midsize cars, sportscars, sport utility vehicles, light pick-up trucks, and full size cars,and boats, jet skis, snowmobiles and other recreational toys and tools.

The hatch may be configured to act as a ramp for the loading of anautomobile or other object, where the automobile or object is secured tothe ramp and raised to a vertical orientation with the closing of thehatch.

The garage may further consist of upper and lower levels disposedposterior to the living compartment. The hatch may have interior andexterior surfaces, first, second, third and forth edges, and behingeably connected to the vehicle body along one edge, with adjacentopposing edges being configured with air ducts providing a means ofcommunication to a heat exchanging unit within the hatch.

An additional example of the invention is an expandable livingcompartment in a motorized recreational vehicle as described above, witha floor panel support structure and at least one floor panel of which atleast one outboard edge is movable by means of at least one actuatorfrom a lower, downward sloping configuration where at least oneextendible component or bump out may be placed in a retracted positionover the depressed floor panel, to a raised, level configurationavailable only when the bump out is extended.

There may be an air pressure source such as a pump or compressed air orwind source whereby the pressure within the expandable livingcompartment is elevated slightly when the extendible component or bumpout is being retracted or extended. This helps to keep the skirtproperly deployed as the bump out transitions through the sidewallopening.

The expandable living compartment may have an access system disposedbetween the floor support structure and a movable floor panel wherebythe moveable floor panel can be further lifted in a controlled way fromthe support structure so as to provide access under the panel forservicing or cleaning. The actuator for this lifting may be a pneumaticbladder. The bump out may use parallel synchronous mechanical driverassemblies or lead screws disposed at the four corners of the extendiblecomponent whereby it may be extended and retracted through its sidewallopening with precision. The parallel synchronous drivers may beconcealed within the body or shell of the vehicle and the extendiblecomponent.

The floor support structure may further include fluid storage tanksdefined by a top skin and a bottom skin joined by a continuous sidewall.The bottom skin may be arched upwardly both laterally andlongitudinally, so as to have a higher center section and four lowercorners, and the interior volume may be divided into up to four fluidstorage tanks, where each tank extends from the center section to arespective lower corner for easy drainage.

The expandable living compartment may have flexible floor panelsupported along a centerline thereof by the floor support structure suchthat the opposing outboard edges of the floor panel rest in a lower,downward sloping configuration until elevated by at least one actuatorto proper floor level.

The vehicle of the invention may be further configured with a windshieldaperture and an openable and stowable windshield assembly, and may havea retractable screen assembly for use when the windshield is open so asto protect the living space from insects.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthis disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention belimited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claimsappended hereto.

1. A motorized recreational vehicle with living space and storage spacecomprising: a vehicle body of unibody construction having an front end,bottom, sidewalls, and top, and being further configured with anopenable rear end and an access door proximate said front end, at leastone rear wheel suspension system, at least one storage area disposedwithin said vehicle body; said storage area at least partially extendingbetween said bottom and said floor structure, said storage area beingaccessible at least through said openable rear end.
 2. A motorizedrecreational vehicle according to claim 12, a floor of said extendiblecomponent when said extendible component is fully extended beingsubstantially level with said floor structure of said livingcompartment.
 3. A motorized recreational vehicle according to claim 2,said floor structure comprising at least one retractable floor panel andfloor panel operating mechanism configured such that when saidextendible components are extended, said floor panel is extendible toand is supportable in a position flush with said interior surface ofsaid floor of said extendible component, and such that said floor panelis retractable beneath the level of said floor of said extendiblecomponent for retraction of said extendible component.
 4. A motorizedrecreational vehicle according to claim 3, said floor panel operatingmechanism comprising a fixed floor panel inboard edge support, a floorpanel lifting mechanism, and a retractable floor panel outboard edgesupport.
 5. A motorized recreational vehicle according to claim 4, saidfloor panel lifting mechanism comprising at least one pneumatic actuatordisposed between said floor structure and said floor panel.
 6. Amotorized recreational vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:a driver's steering console at a driver's station connected to asteerable front wheel suspension system providing directional controlcapability for said vehicle, said drivers steering console beingretractable from said driver's station when not in use.
 7. A motorizedrecreational vehicle according to claim 21, said storage area extendingvertically upward behind said living compartment.
 8. A motorizedrecreational vehicle according to claim 7, said storage area comprisingupper and lower levels within said storage area and a mechanism forelevating objects from ground level to said upper level.
 9. A motorizedrecreational vehicle according to claim 7, comprising a rear end rampextendible to ground level for delivering and removing a vehicle intoand out of said storage area.
 10. (Canceled)
 11. (Canceled)
 12. Amotorized recreational vehicle said vehicle comprising: at least oneexpandable living compartment disposed within a vehicle body: saidexpandable living compartment comprising at least one extendiblecomponent having first, second, and third walls, a floor and a roof,said walls, floor and roof each having interior and exterior surfacesand inboard and outboard sides, said extendible component beingextendible from within said living compartment through a respectivesidewall opening of said vehicle body; wherein said inboard edge of saidroof of said extendible component is configured to mate with theoutboard edge of said interior of said top of said vehicle body therebyforming a substantially flush joint providing a continuous ceilingprofile and a continuous exterior top profile extending across saidexpandable living compartment.
 13. A motorized recreational vehicleaccording to claim 12, said inboard edge of said roof of said extendiblecomponent comprising an inwardly directed, upwardly biased, downwardlydeformable interior flap, said outboard edge of the top within saidsidewall opening comprising a hinged exterior flap, said hinged exteriorflap lying secured against the exterior surface of the outboard wall ofsaid extendible component and said interior flap normally contacting theinterior surface of said top when said extendible compartment isretracted, said interior flap being deformable downward for clearanceand said exterior flap being free for outward motion during extension ofsaid extendible component, said interior flap being reformable upwardfor engagement with said outboard edge of said top, said exterior flapbeing disposed proximate thereto thereby forming said joint.
 14. Amotorized recreational vehicle according to claim 13, said deformableinterior flap comprising a first and second stressed skins defining alongitudinal chamber within, said chamber comprising a variable volumeby which at least one said skin may be deformed for upward and downwardmovement of said deformable flap.
 15. A motorized recreational vehicleaccording to claim 14, said chamber is at least partially filled withcompressible foam.
 16. A motorized recreational vehicle according toclaim 13, said vehicle further comprising a flexible membrane connectingthe perimeter of said sidewall opening with said extendible component,thereby isolating the interior of said vehicle from the exterior of saidvehicle with respect to said sidewall opening.
 17. A motorizedrecreational vehicle according to claim 13, said vehicle body comprisingstressed skin foam construction using substantially resilient foammaterials between skins.
 18. A motorized recreational vehiclecomprising: a vehicle body of substantially unibody construction havingfront end, bottom, sidewalls, and top; a suspension system; an engineand drive train; a living compartment; and wherein said motorizedrecreational vehicle has a wet weight that is less than 80% of a grossvehicle weight rating of said vehicle.
 19. A motorized recreationalvehicle according to claim 18, said motorized recreational vehiclehaving a wet weight that is less than 65% of said gross vehicle weightrating of said vehicle.
 20. The motorized recreational vehicle accordingto claim 18 wherein said unibody construction comprises stressed skinfoam core laminates.
 21. The motorized recreational vehicle according toclaim 20 wherein said foam core laminates are bonded together using ahigh density foam bond.
 22. The motorized recreational vehicle accordingto claim 20 wherein said foam core laminates have interior and exteriorskins, said skins having a plurality of window apertures for themounting of windows, each said window aperture having an integral edgeflange, said apertures in said exterior skin being smaller thanrespective said apertures in said interior skin thereby resulting in agap between respective said edge flanges, said gap being filled with athermally non-conductive material.
 23. The motorized recreationalvehicle of claim 18 further comprising a plurality of pockets withinsaid sidewalls and front end of said vehicle body, said pocketsconfigured to receive stowable side windows and a stowable windshield.24. A deformable member comprising a variable volume chamber havinganterior and posterior ends, enclosed by at least two flexible surfaceskins and anterior and posterior flexible membrane chamber ends, eachsaid skin having a length and parallel first and second ends to saidlength, said first skin being longer than said second skin, said firstends joined in a fixed, parallel relationship, said second ends joinedin a fixed, parallel relationship, and a control for manipulating thevolume of said chamber such at least one skin is placed in a concaveconfiguration of variable radius.
 25. A deformable member according toclaim 24, a portion of said volume comprising a flexible,non-compressible material.
 26. The deformable member of claim 24 whereinsaid deformable member is disposed within a fluid as a flow controlsurface.
 27. The deformable member of claim 24, wherein said first endsare attached to a reference structure.
 28. The deformable member ofclaim 24, wherein at least one of said anterior and posterior ends ofsaid deformable member are attached to a reference structure.
 29. Thedeformable member of claim 26 wherein said flow control surface ischosen from the group of fluid flow control surfaces consisting ofwings, ailerons, stabilizers, elevators, rudders, vanes, valves, shunts,and trim control flaps.
 30. The deformable member of claim 24 whereinsaid deformable member is a propulsion mechanism for use in a fluidmedium.
 31. The deformable member of claim 24 wherein said deformablemember forms at least part of a roof of a slide out component of amotorized recreational vehicle.
 32. The deformable member of claim 31wherein said slide out has anterior and posterior walls having interiorand exterior skins, said exterior skins being elastically connected tosaid anterior and posterior ends of said deformable member by exteriorside wall membranes extending from said flexible membrane chamber ends,said interior skins connected to said deformable member by interiorelastic membranes.
 33. A motorized recreational vehicle comprising: avehicle body of substantially unibody construction having front end,bottom, sidewalls, rear and top; a suspension system; an engine anddrive train; a living compartment; and at least one storage compartmentbelow the floor of the living compartment, at least a portion of saidstorage compartment configured as a garage accessible to at least oneautomobile through an openable hatch disposed in said rear of saidvehicle body.
 34. (Canceled)
 35. (Canceled)
 36. (Canceled)
 37. Themotorized recreational vehicle of claim 36 wherein said automobiles arechosen from the group of automobiles consisting of sub-compact cars,compact cars, midsize cars, sports cars, sport utility vehicles, lightpick-up trucks, and full size cars.
 38. The motorized recreationalvehicle of claim 33 wherein said hatch is configured to act as a rampfor the loading of said automobile.
 39. The motorized recreationalvehicle of claim 38 wherein said automobile is secured to said ramp andraised to a vertical orientation with the closing of said hatch.
 40. Themotorized recreational vehicle of claim 34 wherein said garage furthercomprises upper and lower levels disposed posterior to said livingcompartment.
 41. (Canceled)
 42. An expandable living compartment in amotorized recreational vehicle, said living compartment comprising: anelevated portion of said motorized recreational vehicle, said portioncomprising a roof, floor, front end, back end, and first and second sidewalls, at least one extendible component having interior and exteriorsurfaces, and disposed within an aperture in at least one said sidewall; said floor comprising a floor panel support structure and at leastone floor panel of which at least one outboard edge is movable by meansof at least one actuator from a lower, downward sloping configurationwherein said at least one extendible component may be placed in aretracted position over said floor panel, to a raised, levelconfiguration available only when said at least one extendible componentis extended.
 43. The expandable living compartment according to claim 42further comprising a flexible skirt disposed around the circumference ofsaid aperture and connecting said body of said vehicle to said exteriorsurfaces of said extendible component.
 44. The expandable livingcompartment of claim 43 further comprising an air pressure sourcewhereby the pressure within said expandable living compartment iselevated when said extendible component is being retracted or extended.45. The expandable living compartment of claim 42 further comprising anaccess system disposed between said support structure and said movablefloor panel whereby said moveable panel may be further lifted in acontrolled way from said support structure so as to provide access undersaid moveable panel.
 46. The expandable living compartment according toclaim 42 wherein said actuator comprises at least one pneumatic bladder.47. The expandable living compartment according to claim 42 furthercomprising a pneumatically actuated latch mechanism disposed betweensaid floor panel and said support structure.
 48. The expandable livingcompartment according to claim 42 further comprising parallelsynchronous drivers disposed at four corners of said interior of saidextendible component whereby said extendible component may be extendedand retracted through a respective said sidewall opening.
 49. Theexpandable living compartment according to claim 48 wherein saidparallel synchronous drivers are concealed within said body of saidvehicle and said extendible component.
 50. (Canceled)
 51. (Canceled) 52.The expandable living compartment according to claim 42 wherein saidfloor panel comprises a flexible floor panel supported along acenterline thereof by said support structure such that opposing saidoutboard edges rest in said lower, downward sloping configuration untilelevated by said at least one actuator.
 53. The motorized recreationalvehicle of claim 1 further comprising a windshield aperture and anopenable windshield assembly.
 54. The motorized recreational vehicle ofclaim 53, said windshield aperture configured with a retractable screenassembly.